Heavy Equipment Operator – Civil / Underground Utilities
Kamea Contracting Ltd. | Metro Vancouver | Full time, year-round
Wage: $38 – $48 per hour, based on experience and verified skills
About the role
Kamea Contracting is a civil and earthworks contractor building underground utilities and site infrastructure across Metro Vancouver. We are looking for a civil operator who can run more than one machine and understands what the crew in the trench needs.
You will:
- Dig and backfill for storm, sanitary and water main installations
- Strip and mass-grade sites
- Finish subgrade to tolerance, working closely with our grademen and pipelayers
Operators who can also step down to check their own grade or help on the pipe are exactly who we want. Safety comes first on our sites: every worker has the right and the responsibility to stop work they believe is unsafe.
What you will do
- Operate excavators, loaders and skid-steer for trenching, bulk excavation, backfill and fine grading
- Dig and backfill utility trenches to line and grade, working from grade stakes, cut sheets and lasers
- Handle and place pipe, manholes, trench boxes and shoring using lifting mode and rated rigging
- Complete documented pre-use inspections, daily greasing and minor maintenance, and report defects immediately
- Troubleshoot minor mechanical issues and coordinate repairs with the shop
- Respect BC One Call locates, tolerance zones and overhead power line limits of approach
- Work with a designated spotter where required and keep clear communication by hand signals
- Take part in daily tailgate meetings and hazard assessments
What you bring
- 3+ years operating excavators on civil or underground utility projects in BC
- Competence on at least one additional machine ( Loader, Dozers or Skid-Steer)
- Ability to read civil drawings, grade stakes and cut/fill sheets
- Mechanical aptitude for basic troubleshooting and preventive maintenance
- A solid understanding of trenching and excavation hazards (OHSR Part 20) and mobile equipment rules (OHSR Part 16)
- A valid BC Class 5 driver’s licence (Class 3 with air brake endorsement is an asset)
Safety tickets
- CSTS 2020 or equivalent
- WHMIS 2015
- Ground Disturbance Level 2 (or willingness to obtain)
- Basic First Aid (or willingness to obtain)
Strong assets (not required)
- GPS machine control experience, including design file loading and base/rover set-up
- Grade checking or pipelaying experience
- Low-bed loading and transport experience
- Experience on Caterpillar or similar equipment
What we offer
- A competitive hourly wage within the posted range, based on experience and verified skills
- A multi-skill premium: operators who can verify their own grade with a laser, or fill in on the pipe crew, are placed in the upper portion of the range
- Overtime as per the BC Employment Standards Act
- Extended health and dental after a 3-month probation
- Paid safety training and tickets (Ground Disturbance, First Aid as required)
- Year-round work on Lower Mainland projects
- A real path to Lead Hand or Foreman for people who show initiative
- A team that puts safety first
How to apply
Send your resume and a list of your current safety tickets to
[email protected] or
[email protected], with the job title in the subject line.
Kamea Contracting is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from women in trades, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers to Canada and all qualified candidates.
Pay: $38.00-$48.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Extended health care
Work Location: In person
📌 Heavy Equipment Operator (Civil) (Metro Vancouver)
🏢 Kamea contracting
📍 Metro Vancouver